Posted on October 22, 2025
Recent storm damage leaves Delaware coastline vulnerable without federal assistance
WILMINGTON — Today, Governor Matt Meyer sent a letter to President Donald Trump, urging immediate federal action to restore Delaware’s beaches and critical coastal protection systems following significant coastal damage from recent nor’easters.
Read the full letter HERE.
“Our beaches are part of Delaware’s critical infrastructure that protects homes, roads, and jobs,” Governor Meyer said. “On top of revenue losses and increased costs to the state due to federal legislation, Delaware has been hit hard by recent nor’easter weather. We cannot wait for another storm to hit or for our bridges and highways to collapse to make improvements that will keep our communities safe. We need swift federal action to repair the damage, strengthen our shoreline, and ensure that our coastline is safe and resilient whenever the next storm hits.”
In his letter, Governor Meyer requested that the President direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) invoke its emergency restoration authority under Section 8327 of the Water Resources Development Act of 2022. The law allows the Secretary of the Army, using existing emergency response funding, to restore the federally authorized storm damage reduction projects along the Bay and Atlantic Coast when damaged by nor’easters that reduce their ability to protect against erosion, flooding, or coastal storm impacts.
Earlier this year, the yearlong continuing resolution passed by Republicans in Congress and signed by President Trump cut significant project funding for beach replenishment in coastal states. In the last four years, Delaware previously received significant funding each year to protect and fully restore the state’s vulnerable coastline.
The cuts to coastal replenishment projects and FEMA disaster support follow a pattern of broader changes to federal funding for climate resiliency and disaster preparedness under the current Trump administration. Those changes include attempting to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in emergency preparedness grants to blue states that oppose the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign.
Delaware’s coastline serves as both a natural barrier against storms and a foundation of the state’s economy, supporting tourism, agriculture, and local businesses. Recent storms have caused significant dune erosion, coastal breaches, and infrastructure damage that threaten public safety, transportation networks, and the long-term stability of coastal communities. In his letter, Governor Meyer underscores that the duration and force of these storms have caused damage equal to, and in some cases worse than, a hurricane.
Governor Meyer emphasized that Delaware stands ready to partner with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite restoration and safeguard residents, property, and vital industries from further harm.
For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.
